Abstract: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Management in Breast Cancer Survivors at Risk for Lymphedema: A Markov Model

INTRODUCTION: Secondary lymphedema is a chronic and debilitating complication of breast cancer therapy affecting more than one in five breast cancer survivors.1 In this patient population, patient-reported outcomes may be more important in predicting long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than clinician measured outcomes.2 Cost-effectiveness analysis can be used to compare different treatment modalities based on HRQoL.3 The aim of this study was to (1) assess reported HRQoL measures following vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) and complex decongestive therapy (CDT) and (2) determine the suitability of current data to design a costeffectiveness analysis able to inform lymphedema treatment decisions.